11:36 PM - The Caterpillar! And Inbetween Days, again!11:14 PM - JarlNelson - Crowd definitely more into it than last night. I wonder what tomorrow holds? We shall see during night 3.

11:04 PM - spiggy - that was a very dance-y another journey from Robert10:40 PM - do the hansa!!!10:36 PM - deadhoarse - some extra lyrics on faith. "I'll wait for you where I always wait"??? 2late? Hard to make out what is said10:15 PM - _vera_a_ - all cats was perfect - hope someone got it.10:04 PM - _vera_a_ - primary - some serious singing-along! Crowd is more enthusiastic than yesterday.

9:55 PM - deadhoarse - about to come back for faith. Going by too fast!9:51 PM - Fragmnts - 17 seconds just ended seconds ago. much closer to the stage tonight. I can't report seeing tim burton, trent reznor, or john mcclain, but my girlfriend tells me one of the guys from twilight is in front of us. he seems pretty disinterested, but good thing he's doing his homework. not one of the main guys. faith coming up....8:58 PM - deadhoarse - hallway cram again. It started around same time as last night, 8:25? Tib seemed to fly by so quick, playing Tib (song) now

8:49 PM - deadhoarse - RS: "this song is called Plainsong" then they played 10:15. Don't tease us like that Robert!

Have a great time tonight! Don't know when I'll be back to update, but please let us know if there are any more surprises, and just let us all know what you thought of this incredible show. And be a great audience for them. They truly deserve it!

150 comments:

Wife and I were going to go to this show for our anniversary (6 years today!), but we decided we're not ready to leave our 5 month old for an entire weekend. So, if you're going, give extra love to band for us. And give Lol a special shout out for me. :)

i'm one of those jerks that got tickets for more than one night. 17 seconds just ended seconds ago. much closer to the stage tonight. I can't report seeing tim burton, trent reznor, or john mcclain, but my girlfriend tells me one of the guys from twilight is in front of us. he seems pretty disinterested, but good thing he's doing his homework. not one of the main guys. faith coming up....

It looks like there wasn't a chain link fence in the way of Robert at the Beacon. I have a bruise on my from trying to shove my ticket and a pen through the fence at the Pantages... worth it! Though, I ended up having better luck coming around through the end with the iron bars.

I really miss not having the energy from the crowd in LA, and I am glad to hear NY is ALIVE!!!!

The "concert-goers" in LA (NOT the Cure fans!) really remind me of Jumping Someone Else's Train... I went two nights and many times the crowd felt dead...I could not believe no one was singing during Play for Today!!!!

a lot of people were thinking they were going to hear the singles, and many of them were standing in silence/awe at what they heard...they could not figure it out....that is LA for you....

That is so weird that so many in LA didn't seem to understand what the shows were. I mean they make it pretty clear that they are doing the 1st three albums. I could see not knowing the encores, but the main set is something that is common knowledge. It's in the ads, marquees, etc.

Going to a show in LA...there are a lot of people "in the industry"...they get tickets because they "know" someone....I mean, there was very little interaction from the crowd....you get cheers and "I love you Robert", but singing along and the real Cure party we all love...no

When I went outside during the intermissions, I heard so many people say they got a free ticket and really didn't know the songs...they liked the show, but it was not what they thought they were going to hear...

When we explained to them what "Reflections" really was, they kinda got it...

Sheesh, and we all fought so hard to get our tickets... Too bad the people who would treasure it the most rarely get free tickets.

It's not quite the same thing, but we ended up giving some of our tickets away when we bought better seats at the box office. I think those people appreciated it. And someone special actually had tickets for me if I hadn't bought better ones. Incredibly thoughtful.

Agreed about the LA crowd, we were down in front and center and I'd say that a majority of the crowd were not singing along or dancing, and many sat down during the songs they didn't know - and the whole balcony nearly was sitting down the whole time!! YEEKS!!

I went to all 3 shows in LA and there was a huge contingency of true fans, not sure why the energy level or participation level was off. My first shows were in Italy & France in mid 80's and the energy there is much higher. Music is treated differently in Europe...hard to explain.

So at the first night in LA 3 goofy blondes and a guy came and sat down next to us half way through the show. All they did was chat and giggle the whole rest of the show. Didnt have a clue who they were there to see.

For the next batch of Cure shows, no one should feel guilty about going to more then 1 show. I'd rather have the venue filled with real fans instead of people who got free tickets or the Greatest Hits Fans!

I am kind of hurt that Robert didn't give us a little something....just a little....but I cannot complain....I am sincerely thankful they came and they really did put on some phenomenal shows.....so I have to thank them....thank you!

It would not surprise me if the next set of 3 albums were played in France & Mexico City (or South America). I met a fan from Chile named Eduardo who told my The Cureheads tribute band draws 10,000 every time they play. My favorite story from LA is Eduardo's. He had a ticket for Argentina show in '87 and his parent would not let him attend because he was only 16. Turn the clock forward nearly 25 years and here is this beautiful man in Los Angeles with a ORCH Row E ticket he paid $500 for. It was going to be his first time to see The Cure live. To make the story even better, I saw the gigantic smile on his face after Robert signed his ticket for him.

Thanks Heron....I agree....there are usually empty seats at a sold out show...I feel guilty when they come and I can't make it to every show within a 100-200 mile radius...That includes all the Jimmy Kimmel, Craig Kilbourne, Leno, etc!...I feel that it is my duty to go and see them!

You know how parents have to be really careful about getting their small children the same number of presents for , or else their kids might whine and throw tantrums? I feel like one of those kids right now, and my sister NYC just got a bigger present than me.

Well, I went to Sydney, I went to LA, and if I was independently wealthy, there would have been no stopping me going to RAH and NYC. It doesn't matter if the songs are the same, EVERY show is different.

Okay, okay, okay... It's time for me to put the jealousy aside and think about how much fun Robert and the boys are having. Fun = more shows, albums, etc. = happy ghanisbuli = eventually jealous ghanisbuli since she can't go to every show...

I went to Tuesdays show in LA and the crowd was beautiful. So back off!! I was close to the stage and there might have been some jerk standing in the aisle next to me I don't know who cares? There was lots of supercool people there, hardcore Cure and who are you to bash Hollywood you.. you.. you bashers you.

Robert gave me something better than an extra song, a signature, a photo opportunity or an after show pass. His ability with words, in comments to a crowd, can include an imbedded message directed at one person and I feel fortunate I was the one on Wednesday. I know he does that to many people all the time, but he even included hand signals.....LoL.

The Dude - Amen!! So many people show up 10 minutes late to show and leave or food or drink as soon as it is over. Wow, did they ever miss the boat! I drove up from San Diego to LA shows and had a hotel. On Wednesday, I was on the side of Pantages at 1:30 knowing full well that the band arrived at 4:30 on Monday and 5pm on Tuesday. The true fans are the ones that arrive that early...those are the ones you really want to meet as they are the ones you will meet at every show down the road. Time passes within the Happy Crowd far better than it does watching TV in your hotel room. On Wednesday, because I got there so early I was the first person and had my pick of the slot where Robert was signing everything the two previous night. When they arrived at 5:15 I was able to give Robert a letter...everyone wants something from Robert, but everyone needs to think about something they can do to share and give back something to Robert. I stood back on Monday and Tuesday and just watched the crown feast on him...After he was done sign was the meetup. Then the show. Then after the show I hung out with another crowd until 2am...lots more conversation with true fans before giving up. They actually came out at 2:35am. A 3 1/2 hour concert was actually a 12-13 hour event. I really do want to thank ANDYTHECUREFAN for having pity on his older Brother. He made my experience tops!

I saw you give your letter to Robert too, that was super sweet of you!! That's the same drive behind the Other Voices book - and I'm so happy that I was finally able to give Jason his copy. It's nice to give something back to the guys.

ghanisbuli - I am referencing his comment before World War on 11/23 where he said "I really can't be myself in front of this many people" The first sentence of the 11 page letter I gave him was "Thank you for being exactly the person that you are." Yeah...might be a stretch, but he didn't make that comment on any other night. Any the hand signals? It was a safe signal morphing into flying high airplane wings...not that is a stretch!!

Ooh, I saw you give your letter, too! I know who you are now :). I'm the one who was talking with Summer about our arthritis and such and such "standing for long periods of time" problems. I thought about hanging out after the show, but I thought they'd already be gone from the venue like they were the previous two nights.

Wow Craig! I hope they pull out all the stops tomorrow and do a special show with lots of extra songs and lyrics and such for you!!! All bets are off on the encores setlist - maybe they will throw in Forever???

do the fucking hansa! fuck hansa! that record company would have been totally erased from the pages history if it wasnt for this song! catecatecatecatecatepillar girl.... ! damn, I wish I didn't have to work my ass off tomorrow to pay for these two shows or I'd be back again for the final reflections!

Also, I guess one of my previous comments didn't post...I was there at the gate that day, too. I was the one talking to Summer about our arthritis and other ailments that can make it difficult to stand for long periods of time.

Do The Hansa. So lucky. I was talking about how awesome that would be at LA night 3. As for the fans around me that night there were three empty seats next to me which three girls didn't show up in until halfway through the Seventeen Seconds set. And one actually texted through the whole set and even tried to make a phone call. Then they left at intermission and came back three songs into the Faith set.

*sigh* Next time I'll pay more to get a front row seat. Especially if we can get The Top, The Head on the Door, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me show.

Now I'm really excited just to see the updates for tomorrow night's grand finale.

we just threw in the towel waiting at the beacon's side door. if anyone is hoping to give them a letter or a thank you tomorrow should arrive early around sound check time. good luck and I can't wait to hear about tomorrow's nuances and utter bombshells . . . hopefully! man, I don't post for over ten years of following chain of flowers, now I can't shut up!

Just to clarify the "LA Thing": I had never seen the Cure live until Wednesday the 23rd, but was in attendance with a friend who has introduced me to their music (mostly B-sides)over the last three years. Yes, I wanted to stand up. Yes, I wanted to sing along. Yes, I wanted to dance and scream. Yes, I wanted wanted to "Oooooh, oh, oh..." to Play for Today....BUT I was so entranced by the magic and brilliance that is the Cure, that I tuned alllllll of that out and I let myself absorb every sound, every note, every beat they played. Nothing was lost on me, but you may have observed me and thought that I "didn't get it", or didn't appreciate the historic significance of what I was hearing/seeing. I assure you, I got it!. I pray/hope/will do anything to see them perform Pornography, The Top, and Head on the Door next year! I promise that I will be much more a rabble-rouser! It wasn't LA's fault that I was so quiet....It was my own for having waited so long to become a fan...

Anyhoo, just got back home from tonight's show. The Cure never ceases to amaze me. Just some random thoughts before I go to bed.

My brother and I were on the "Loge" level, which is lower balcony, dead center. Awesome sound, great view... surrounded by people ranging from what seems to be pretty die-hard Cure fans to people looking extremely bored. I think the person in front of me actually fell asleep.

TIB set: great, very skeletal and aggressive. Started off by Robert asking the crowd if they knew what to expect, and then said "This is Plainsong..." NOT! We were so excited to hear so many songs live for the first time; danced to "Grinding Halt," "So What," "Fire in Cairo," and "It's Not You." Strange to hear Robert sing "Foxy Lady." Robert made a joke, something about proving to people they're able to play their instruments (reference to the Burt Weedon guitar books), to which I shouted "Weedy Burton!"

17 Sec set: Excited to see Roger back. I think my brother and I were the only ones to do the "Play for Today" keyboard part. Secrets was great, Robert sings it like on the 1984 "Cold" bootleg. "In Your House" has a backing drum track, which makes it much more closer to the album version as opposed to the live versions I've heard where it begins with the guitar riff... very nice. "Three" has some improv lyrics that I couldn't really hear. Everyone stood for "A Forest." To my surprise, almost everyone around us clapped with Simon's bass outro. "At Night" was awesome... nice fuzzy bass.

Faith set: This is where most of the crowd got lost. I LOVED IT. My bro and I shouted "We love you LOL!" as soon as he walked on stage. People only knew "Primary" and "Other Voices," obviously they have Staring At The Sea in their music collection. I didn't mind if people were quiet during this set, I got to experience "All Cats Are Grey" and "The Funeral Party" without distraction. "Faith" had extra lyrics at the end, definitely some of it was from "2Late," I'm sure I heard "So I'll wait for you as I always wait, behind the signs that sell the news..."

Encore 1: 1979 set. Robert jokes about granting requests, and plays "Do the Hansa!" I sing the "it's Steve!" part. People looked bewildered. I shouted for "World War," got my request. "I'm Cold" was the punky version. People got really excited for "Boys Don't Cry," which was to be expected. "Plastic Passion" was great. If I heard right, I was surprised Robert actually sang "Killing an Arab" as opposed to "Killing Another." "Jumping Someone Else's Train - Another Journey By Train," PERFECT!

Encore 2: Robert jokes about the next song becoming one of his favorites, but was disappointed it was never a hit because it's a b-side, then played "Descent." I loved it, people looked confused. My bro and I shouted for "Splintered in Her Head," got our wish. "Charlotte Sometimes," perfect.

Encore 3: All the early 80's hits. At least it was nice to see people excited. Robert did some lovely dancing during this set. I realized in essence they played almost everything off Staring at the Sea, bar "Close to Me" and "A Night Like This." People kept shouting for "Just Like Heaven," wasn't gonna happen! As the band left, Robert definitely said something about seeing everyone next year. Hopefully the "gloomy" companion to 4:13 Dream? Hey, The Cure is due for a new album in 2012, goes with the "every four years" rule...

I don't think the sit/stand paradigm should be used as a measuring stick of anyone's fandom. While I'll admit there were plenty of, er, questionably motivated attendees during the LA shows, there were many others, like myself, a follower of the band since the mid-80s, who deliberately stayed seated in our clear-view mezzanine seats so as to fully absorb the sight + sound of a once in a lifetime performance. Seventeen Seconds is my favourite album by ANY band, let alone The Cure. Me (or anyone else) not jumping around or singing along was a sign of respect, awe, wonder, breathlessness... And one shouldn't be judged for that.

The whole sit/stand thing... I think certain songs lead to certain reactions. Granted, much of 3IB people can pogo to, but much of the stuff off 17Sec and Faith demands full attention. I stayed seated in my mezzanine seat throughout the 17Sec and Faith sets, save for "A Forest" where everyone stood. I agree it shouldn't be a gauge of fandom, but if I react strongly to certain songs for one reason or another, it's hard for me to compromise. To each their own, basically... With the rarer stuff like "Do the Hansa" and "Descent," people did look utterly confused. However, if I wasn't the die-hard Cure fan that I am, I'd be confused too.

My problem with LA night 3 was more with my section than as a whole because people were yelling obscenities and throwing things at me for the first song of the show just because I chose to stand when the band came out and during the first song while they wanted to sit. I didn't care if they sat, but to be so aggressive towards me because I wanted to stand, I questioned if they were there to see a concert or expected The Cure to put on a play.

Until NYC I really thought the set would stay the same, ESP with the ticket rule. But hey, this is getting really interesting, what surprises will nyc3 bring? Pillbox, cult hero, more from the top?....

Hi Every one I am long time cure fan Uk based i went to R.A.H show and so wish that they had done more than one night sounds like new york crowd are well livly .also sure that were a lot of cure die hards at l.A but but its seems very strange to me that were so many people that were not sure what they were getting i understand that seems like people got freebies .but i would imagine there cannot have been that many any way .next time they tour if they only do limited venues and only do one european date i will need to get my self to new york so regretting that i diddnt get a bank loan .some of the posts have been inspirational thanks to all the kind people.& was lovly to hear about Eduardo pity he had to pay 500 dollars for a ticket . but i understand as i stupidly panicked when show was sold out so quick that i paid £279( for what was a originally a £25 seat + the next day one of my friends offered me a face value standing ticket pound to scalping mo-fos,i must admit i have been jealous as hell reading gig reports but seeing the videos has been great & although i personally would have rather that they had not finished with the pop single but done stuff that they hardly play i have to admit was fantastic upbeat it to amazing night & haven't seen Robert be so Animated for a long time he was ultra ROBERTY the video from the 1st night of new york with inbetween days was fantastic . I hope that you all get a fantastic Show tonight & that they really go to town & pull major surprises out of the Hat but Do the hansa & Caterpillar wow also cant believe the amazing selection of merchandise my girlfriend has no problem buying me Xmas gifts this year .I Also hope that the band play lots of venues next year so that every one gets a fair chance to see them has to be away of distributing ticket so that scalpers dont get hands on them before genuine fans Take care cure fans Jojo XXX

thanks so much craig and heron. hope you had a nice time here in nyc craig. it's almost certain that those attending the final reflections show will be in for some treats!

as it goes with any cure show, i'm still 'high' from the performance. i got third row aisle seats for my girlfriend and i from stubhub. we've seen every local cure show together since curiosa, our anniversary year. i could not resist this steep purchase for a second night. we had come so close to flying out to sydney earlier this year.

for those attending the sunday show, security isn't playing around anymore since the friday night stage invasion. they were pushing a bunch of folk back up the aisles. i asked about throwing roses on stage, and the guard said no. at the end of the show though he gave me the nod, so i approached the stage and threw four of them towards robert as he walked off and he gave me clasped hands and a RS scrunchy face!

in case there are any twilight fans here, we looked up the guy in front of us on imdb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1553725/it turns out that the girl in front of me was this person: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2230865/i apologized to her about screaming in her ear all night and she was very polite, and also very into the show. her guy friend sat thru 3ib and faith, but he got more into the show towards the last encores.

the show was great both nights, but i may be biased since we had extraordinary seats the second night. robert was particularly wiggly the 2nd night which was great! it's hard to explain the effect that all cats are grey, the drowning man and faith had on me, it's just pure emotion that no other artist i know of can convey like robert.

robert, in case you happen across this little blurb (and in your style of typing) . . . IT IS WONDERFUL ALL THE THINGS YOU'VE CREATED FOR THE WORLD. YOU ARE THE MOST MAGICAL ARTIST IN MY LIFE. PLEASE DON'T CHANGE, PLEASE DON'T STOP. DISINTEGRATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL COLLECTION OF MUSIC IN EXISTANCE. WE ARE ALL ON EDGE OVER THE 'DARK' ALBUM AND YOU’VE GOT US OVER THE EDGE IN ANTICIPATION FOR THE SHOWS NEXT YEAR! UNENDING GRATITUDE GOES OUT TO YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE GIVEN TO US!

wish i would have had the chance to give him a note in person, maybe next year . . .

@fishbugman Hope your thoughts about TC playing next three albums in SouthAmerica become real! I'm really looking foward to it! My father had the opportunity of seeing TC in Ferro '87 Arg (a 'wild' show lets say...) and Im really jealous of him, he was so lucky. Now I'm expecting the chance to have them playing here.. Love this guys so much!

Reposting Kat's review without the personal info about the band. That sort of thing is not allowed here.

From Kat:

(this is my 3rd time trying to post! hope it works!)

I went to both the Friday and Saturday shows and both were AMAZING!! Hearing Three Imaginary Boys come to life was beyond awesome! Really made me re-appreciate that album! And of course, Seventeen Seconds and Faith were both breathtaking!

Okay..too many exclamation points now... In any case, this is probably my 8th time watching the Cure (my first show ever was the Wish Tour in Los Angeles circa '92 when I was a wee 15-yr old). They just get better and better... There's something about their music that just tugs in my heart and gives me a lump in my throat (in a good way).

I was thisclose to jumping onstage like that person on Friday's show, but security was beefed up for Saturday's show. I was only 6 rows from the stage (ORCH CTR) and the security dude gave me a hard time about going up right by the stage and taking pics. I was even given a last warning and was told he would personally escort me out!So I proceeded with caution...

I wanted the night to end with some sort of close encounter with the band. So I listened to the soundcheck guys' advice (they were the very nice fellows all the way in the back of orchestra) who told me to go to the side waaay before the show ended. So I booked it out of there in the middle of "Inbetween Days" and waited!

I then saw Simon, Robert, and Jason walk out!!! They were picked up by a passenger van with Lol already inside. Lost track of where Roger was. I kept yelling Robert! and Simon! like a banshee, but they would not stop for pics and hightailed it out of there!

I suggest you go there at the side of the Beacon around 11:45 pm. Maybe you'll be luckier than I!

Anyway...I'm glad to share my thoughts with fellow Cure fans!

P.S. I'm Cold! Do the Hansa! Caterpillar Girl! YAY!!!! I wish they did something else from The Top (like Bananafishbones...but RS did say something about next year!)

I was there for the 26th, and I was blown away by the show. It was my first Cure show ever, and damn was it a good one. I went to the meetup at the Columbus, though I wish I would have been over by the Beacon when Robert came outside! My bus got into NYC a little before 4.30, so if I had went right to the subway rather than stopping to get camera batteries and a few pictures, maybe I could have made it. Oh well, there's always next time! (I refuse to believe that they won't tour again!)

The show was amazing overall, and I was more than pleased with my seat in row B of the Loge. Sound was great, I could see them really well (and binoculars made that even better). All Cats Are Grey, The Funeral Party, and The Drowning Man were like religious experiences for me, and I was stoked to hear Charlotte Sometimes and Another Journey by Train. It was incredible to be there.